Jack Grealish impresses for Man City in front of new England coach Thomas Tuchel

PARIS (AP) — With Thomas Tuchel watching from the stands, Manchester City midfielder Jack Grealish made a good impression on England’s new coach.

Even though Grealish ended up on the losing side in a 4-2 defeat at Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, he made an impact immediately after coming off the bench.

Grealish thumped in from close range in the 50th minute following a scramble and then helped create the second goal for Erling Haaland three minutes later. Grealish’s cross from the left deflected off PSG midfielder Joao Neves to Haaland lurking near the line.

Perhaps Grealish had a point to prove.

He was left out of the European Championship squad last year by former coach Gareth Southgate, a decision which surprised some observers.

Jack Grealish impresses for Man City in front of new England coach Thomas Tuchel | iNFOnews.ca — England coach Thomas Tuchel, right, and France coach Didier Deschamps chat on the stands before a Champions League opening phase soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

He has a fresh chance now.

Tuchel’s first matches in charge will be the World Cup qualifiers against Albania on March 21 and Latvia three days later. His contract with England runs through to the World Cup finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico in the summer of 2026.